Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of the most charming cities in the British Isles. The city looks straight out of medieval times, with its cobblestone streets and crooked alleyways surrounded by stony buildings with peaked roofs. The old part of the city sits on a hill and at its top is the stately Edinburgh Castle, giving the impression that the rest of the city and its people are part of the kingdom. As much as Edinburgh retains its old-fashioned charm, if you look more closely you’ll find it’s a modern and trendy place to be. The city hosts the yearly Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a huge arts festival that sets the tone for the future of entertainment. It is full of stores, restaurants, and bars that add modern flair to traditional Scottish foods and products. If you only have a short amount of time to get to know this wonderful city, here is an itinerary for 48 hours spent in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Day 1: Afternoon - Go check out the Edinburgh Castle. Stroll through Old Town Edinburgh (from USD 496.0)
Start your trip in Edinburgh by visiting what is arguably its most famous landmark: Edinburgh Castle. This historic fortress dominates the city skyline with its tall stone walls, turrets, and towers. Inside the walls, explore the grounds and feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. For those interested in medieval weaponry, check out Mons Meg, a siege gun that could fire gunstones up to 3.2 km (2 miles), and the Half Moon and Forewall batteries, the castle’s main defense walls.
If you’re interested in the lives of the royals, tour the royal apartments, where the monarchs resided, and the Honours of Scotland, which holds the oldest crown jewels in Britain. There is so much to see in Edinburgh Castle that you could easily spend all day there, but be sure to leave yourself time in the afternoon to explore the rest of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The Old Town is right outside the castle along the Royal Mile. It has cobblestone streets and stone buildings, many of which are hundreds of years old. Some landmarks along the Royal Mile include St. Gile’s Cathedral, a medieval church, and the Old College of the University of Edinburgh, where stone buildings surround a green courtyard. The Royal Mile ends at Holyrood Palace, where the Queen of England stays during her visits to Scotland. In between all the sights are plenty of cute stores and cafes to duck into while you stroll.
Edinburgh Castle and Old Town Walking Tour
Duration: 6 hours
Day 1: Evening - Wander around George Street and have dinner
While you’re in the Old Town, head over to the north side of this neighborhood to walk down George Street. George Street retains the old-fashioned architecture of the rest of the Old Town, but many of its buildings have been transformed into restaurants and high-end clothing stores. If you want a piece of British fashion, stop into Whistles, Jaeger, or Jigsaw. There are also lots of specialty shops too, like Paperchase for stationery, Lakeland for kitchen supplies, and Cath Kidston for a wide array of trinkets like mugs and keyrings.
After a long afternoon of walking, have a seat in one of George Street’s fine restaurants and rest during dinner. For an affordable meal with unique cocktails, stop at Candy Bar and Kitchen. Nearby, The Printing Press serves up rustic Scottish dishes in a setting that is elegant and literary-themed. If it’s a nice night, head over to Chaophraya for Tuai food served in a rooftop dining area.
George Street
Address: George Street, Edinburgh, UK
Website: George Street
Day 1: Night - Catch a comedy show at The Stand
Edinburgh is known for being one of the performance capitals of Britain, if not the world. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest art festival, with a month of performances of all varieties. There are dozens of other performance venues in music, dance, and theater throughout the city.
If you’re looking for a change of pace from fancy theater, an inexpensive night out, or just want a good laugh, consider ending your day at The Stand Comedy Club! As Edinburgh’s only venue that has just comedy acts, you’ll be getting the best of the city’s comedy scene. They have nightly performances that range in price from just two pounds for amateur nights to twelve pounds for the Saturday night show. The venue is cabaret-style, with small tables surrounding the stage, and the audience can enjoy drinks and food during the show.
The Stand
Address: 5 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EB, UK
Hours: 10 am to midnight
Website: The Stand
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Day 2: Morning - Breakfast at Loudons. Head to Arthur's Seat for a spectacular view (from USD 73.3)
Be sure to get an early start and a hearty breakfast for your next full day of sightseeing. Loudon’s Café is a great pick no matter what kind of breakfast you’re in the mood for. They have full meals and lighter fare, which can be eaten at the restaurant or taken to go. If you’re planning to sit, try one of the many varieties of eggs benedict on the menu. They come in the traditional style, with haggis for a Scottish twist, or even vegan. There are also classic English breakfasts on the menu complete with your choice of meat and baked beans.
After you’ve fueled up, head over to Arthur’s Seat for what will be the peak of your visit—literally! Arthur’s Seat is the name of a small hill right outside of the city center within walking distance of downtown. It rises 250 meters (822 feet) in the air and has relatively easy trails to its peak. Though you might not have anticipated hiking as part of your city vacation, the panoramas from the top of Arthur’s Seat are worth the climb. The rolling green fields at the top of the mountain are the perfect spot for relaxing before your descent back into town.
Edinburgh Private Tour: The Castle to the Arthur's Seat
Duration: 2.0 to 3.0 hour
Day 2: Afternoon - Stroll around Princes Street Gardens. Visit the Museum of Scotland (from USD 31.0)
While Arthur’s Seat is a rustic park that will make you forget you are right next to a large city, there are other parks in Edinburgh that seamlessly blend natural beauty with urban surroundings. One such park is Princes Street Gardens, a large green space right in the center of the city. It features smooth lawns and pretty trees and flowers that provide nice shady spots for an afternoon rest. There are also many memorials like the Scott Monument, a Gothic spire built to honor Sir Walter Scott that is a symbol of the city.
After all the fresh air you’ve had so far on your second day, consider ducking into a museum for the rest of the afternoon. Edinburgh has several excellent options, like the Museum of Childhood and the Writers’ Museum, but the best one to visit for an overview of Scottish and world history is the Museum of Scotland. This museum has a large, diverse collection of objects and exhibits suitable for all ages. From natural history to fashion and design to science and technology, you’ll leave this museum with a lot more knowledge than when you arrived.
Edinburgh History Walk and National Museum of Scotland
Day 2: Evening - Have dinner at Forage & Chatter. Catch a performance at Kings Theatre
After perhaps a more casual meal and entertainment experience on your first night, treat yourself to a fine meal and the cream of Edinburgh’s theater scene on your second night. Start with dinner at Forage and Chatter, which serves inventive dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine is influenced by Scottish tradition but with modern twists that make it a treat. Forage and Chatter also has a lovely atmosphere, with a basement-level location that has a copper bar and a warren of dining rooms. It is located just a few blocks away from Edinburgh’s treasured King’s Theater. This gorgeous venue has been in operation since 1906 and is an integral part of Edinburg’s arts scene. From art films to ballets to family-friendly musicals, whatever is showing during your visit is bound to provide a quality night of entertainment.
King's Theater
Address: 2 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LQ, UK
Website: King’s Theater
Day 2: Night - Drinks in one of the many whisky bars in the city (from USD 52.0)
Scotland may be a small country, but it is one of the world’s biggest whiskey producers. There are over 100 distilleries in Scotland, and nearly all of them make Scotch whiskey in a specific way. Scotch is made from malted barley, matured for a minimum of three years, and double distilled. It makes sense that in the capital of Scotland, there are plenty of bars devoted to serving Scotch Whisky. End your second night out with a nightcap at one of these spots. For over 200 rare single malt whiskeys to choose from, with a constant rotation of flavors, try the new Kaleidoscope Bar at the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society. A more traditional pub atmosphere can be found at Bow Bar, which has over 250 whiskey varieties tucked behind an unassuming storefront. A bar that brings whiskey into the digital age is Amber Whisky bar, where guests can browse the 380+ whiskeys available by a touch screen distillery guide.
2-hour Whisky Tasting Tour of Edinburgh
Duration: 2 hours
Day 3: Morning - Breakfast then visit Edinburgh Zoo (from USD 30.33)
On your final day in Edinburgh, you’ll want to eat a quick breakfast to leave plenty of time for visiting one of Scotland’s most beloved attractions: the Edinburgh Zoo! This zoo is located in the western suburbs of Edinburgh and can easily be reached by bus or car. The zoo has dozens of animal species to observe and is the only zoo in Great Britain to house koalas and giant pandas. There are two giant pandas, a male and a female, and several koalas in their own area called the Koala Territory, with eucalyptus plants, artwork, exhibits, and more. Another animal the zoo is known for is the penguin; Edinburgh was the first zoo in the world to breed and house penguins. Today the zoo has three kinds: the Gentoo Penguin, King Penguin, and Northern Rockhopper Penguin.
Edinburgh Zoo Entrance Ticket
Day 3: Afternoon - Visit the Royal Botanic Garden. Explore St Giles' Cathedral
Another must-see spot outside of Edinburgh’s city center is the Royal Botanic Garden. Started over 350 years ago to study and conserve plant varieties, the collection contains over 100,000 plants from thousands of species. Plants are divided into sections by their geographic origins: the Chinese Hillside, Alpine Houses, and Scottish Native Plants collection in the Heath Garden. The real stars of the Botanic Garden are the 10 Glasshouses, which contain different climatic zones and plants inside of each one, ranging from tropical flowers to arid desert cacti.
For the second part of your afternoon, head back downtown to the Royal Mile and stop inside St. Giles’ Cathedral. Named after the patron saint of Edinburgh, the church has been a center of religion in the city. Its stony exterior is topped by a crown steeple that is part of the Edinburgh skyline. Inside, be sure to see the ornately carved ceiling of Thistle Chapel and the stunning stained glass windows of the main church. They also offer rooftop tours for small groups.
After this long afternoon of sightseeing, you’ll probably be ready to sit and rejuvenate yourself with a little caffeine. Edinburgh is full of cozy cafes, but any Harry Potter fan or coffee lovers should make a point to stop at the Elephant House. It is rumored that author JK Rowling wrote parts of the early books in this café while looking out the windows at Edinburgh Castle for inspiration. Even if you haven’t read the books, this is a charming little café where you can get delicious coffee, tea, and pastries.
Royal Botanic Garden
Address: Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, UK
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm
Website: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Day 3: Evening - Head to grassmarket for a pint at the historic Last Drop pub
As your time in Edinburgh draws to a close, it’s fitting to get one last drink at the Last Drop pub. This is a classic British pub located in the original 17th-century stone buildings. Inside, it features a cozy setting with authentic ales and traditional British pub food. If you happen to feel a bit of an eerie unease despite the warm atmosphere, it might be because of the Last Drop’s dark history. The pub is located right on the Grassmarket, where farmers sold produce and one of the city’s main gallows stood. Locals would gather to watch public hangings, and the name of the pub actually refers to the last execution to take place there. To this day, the pub is said to be haunted—but don’t let that deter you from stopping by!
Last Drop
Address: 74-78 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR, UK
Hours: 12 pm to 12 am
Website: Last Drop
A charming city you'll never forget
With its compact downtown that’s easily traversed on foot, Edinburgh is the kind of city perfect for a quick two-day getaway. It’s easy to see all the major sights and still have some time to relax too. However, the city is so lovely and friendly that 48 hours will never seem like enough! The more time you spend wandering the streets, the more you’ll find to do and see. After your short visit is over, you’ll have memories and stories to last you a lifetime, or at least, as long as you last before the urge to visit Edinburgh strikes again!
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